SPOKANE, Wash. -- Michigan State got its biggest nonconference true road win in a long time because its star players and interior presence ruled the night against Gonzaga.

Not to be overlooked, however, are the preparatory work and game contributions of the Spartans’ scout-teamers.

Draymond Green had an All-America-type game, with a career-high 34 points and near-ideal intuitiveness in Saturday’s 74-67 victory. His primary defensive target, Gonzaga forward Elias Harris, finished with six points, two years after scoring 17 against the Spartans.

Green credited his own self-control on offense. On defense, he credited teammate Alex Gauna’s practice work in simulating Harris.

"When we practiced here, Alex was Harris, and he definitely prepared me to guard Harris," Green said. "He scored on me so much, it just killed me. He got in my face, talking junk to me, just going at me, and it really prepared me for everything Harris is, and I’ve got to give him credit. The way he played that role in practice was just phenomenal."

In the game, Gauna played only three minutes, but his mid-range jumper gave Michigan State a three-point lead late in the first half.

Brandan Kearney, who along with Gauna is making it hard on coach Tom Izzo to reduce an 11-man rotation, played 11 minutes. Kearney played three full segments, during which the Spartans outscored the Bulldogs 26-8, before being entrusted with three late situational defense appearances.

Kearney has played more than Gauna this year on the true scout team -- the third five -- "and he’s been tougher than nails," Izzo said.

"I think playing on the scout team has helped him," Izzo said. "And I’ve been really pleased with the fact that he knows how to defend, he understands the game, he has a great I.Q. for the game, and as his other skills continue to grow, we’re going to be able to get something out of Brandan."

The Spartans (8-2) are off for final exams until Saturday against Bowling Green, but already passed early tests on the court, winning every game since starting 0-2 against North Carolina and Duke.

They figure to break into today’s polls after their first true road win against a ranked team in a nonconference game since Dec. 14, 2002, at Kentucky, a game best remembered for Tim Bograkos’ late 3-pointer.

Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix have become a formidable interior mix, and combined to outplay Gonzaga center Robert Sacre.

And the perimeter shooting finally is coming around, and not just because of zone defenses, because Gonzaga actually chose to play mostly man. The Spartans shot 23.8 percent on 3-pointers the first six games, and the shots looked as bad as the raw numbers. They have shot 43.5 percent the past four games.

Their six true and redshirt freshmen have shown growing pains. Travis Trice had some out-of-control moments against Gonzaga. Russell Byrd still is working the balancing act of playing while regaining strength after injury. And Branden Dawson, the starting wing, has struggled since a promising start, and played only 10 minutes Saturday.

"He’s going to have to have a little more energy, what little he played," Izzo said. "That’s still a big key. He’s a very good player that’s got to play better than he’s playing."

The Spartans got outrebounded for the first time and had only one second-chance point against Gonzaga. But they also shot 54.2 percent and limited two of Gonzaga’s top players, Harris and Kevin Pangos, to a total of 13 points.

"Sometimes, it’s difficult to generate consecutive baskets against them," Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. "This is one of his better defensive teams that we have certainly played against."

Izzo last week vowed not to over-praise his team, after he was dismayed by the effort in a 20-point win against Central Connecticut State.

He stuck to that, though his young team undeniably has advanced more in 10 games than expected.

"We’re making progress and that’s what you hope to do as a basketball team," Izzo said. "We’ve got a long way to go, though, trust me."﻿